December Newsletter Here's Looking at You, Kid! |
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In this issue... - Here's Looking at You, Kid
- Instructor Spotlight
- Upcoming Events
- Upcoming Workshops
- Creativity Circles
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As some of you know, participating in an arts and crafts fair can make for a long weekend. By the third day of this year’s ‘Tis the Season Fair, I had heard enough holiday music, sampled enough peppermint toffee (yes, it’s possible!), and seen enough wooden reindeer to steal Christmas myself! On the positive side, I really got to know my two booth mates, both of whom were Purple Crayon members. With all of the interruptions, our conversations were a bit disjointed, but we still managed to learn quite a bit about each other. One of the things I was curious about was why they joined Purple Crayon, and why they stay, since they both have plenty of room to do their art at home, and they both manage to actually do it. Clearly, they don’t need the studio for space or motivation. One of them said that she’s woven a lot more baskets (her medium of choice) since joining the studio, and she attributes her increased productivity to Purple Crayon; she's just more inspired now. I was happy to hear it and have heard similar stories from other members. What surprised me, however, was the other woman's response. She said that Purple Crayon is the one place where people know her as an illustrator first and, in many cases, only. Most people outside of the studio see her as a software developer, which she is, but being an artist feels more authentic to her. I found that interesting, and, the more I thought about it, the more it rang true for me as well. Over the years, I've been a high school teacher, instructional designer, manager, performance consultant, life coach, and, now, business owner. I dabbled in arts and crafts, but I rarely hung around other artists and, therefore, never identified as an artist—until I opened Purple Crayon. Now, when I’m at the studio, surrounded by my artist tribe, I am reminded that I, too, am an artist. If you struggle to prioritize your art, and you don’t have a lot of (or any) artistic friends, perhaps it’s time to change your environment. Consider joining an art-focused MeetUp group. Or take an art class. Or join an art studio. Or go to an art fair. Or just hang out in an art supplies store! The more you surround yourself with other artists, the more you'll feel like an artist—and the more you'll feel "obligated" to create! At Purple Crayon, there are lots of ways to explore your "artist self" by playing with other artists. Besides joining the studio, you can take one of our many workshops, including: You can also encourage a loved one's exploration by giving her a Purple Crayon gift certificate! They're available in any amount, and the lucky recipient can use it towards a membership, workshop, or even one of our new Girls’ Night (or Day) Out offers. Contact Us for more information. I look forward to playing with you! —Pam Robbins, Owner |
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| | Susan Goodman, CZT Susan is teaching our Zentangle® Star workshop on December 2nd. As the Senior Director of Admissions for the largest hospice provider in the country, Susan taught staff for 25 years before deciding that she wanted to become a Certified Zentangle® Teacher (CZT). She's instructed at Tryon Painters and Sculptors, CANVAS Art Space and Purple Crayon. In 2017, Susan received an Honorable Mention in Hendersonville’s Bring Us Your Best Show, and, in 2018, one of her Zentangle pieces was selected for a Hendersonville Artscape banner. | | |
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| | Andrea Kulish Andrea is teaching our Pysanky Ornaments workshop on December 9th. Andrea is a first-generation Ukrainian-American who has been making pysanky (pronounced pih-sahn-KIH) since she was six years old. As an artist and graphic designer, she's produced many of the marketing materials for the River Arts District Artists. She's also taught hundreds of pysanky workshops in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and North Carolina from her studio space, people's homes, and other locations, including Biltmore Estate and OLLI at UNC Asheville. | | |
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Girls' Night (or Day) Out Ongoing Looking for something a little different for this year's holiday Girls' Night (or Day) Out? Consider scheduling a private arts and crafts party at Purple Crayon! We've got lots of great workshops to choose from, and, if you don't see what you're looking for, we'll be happy to try to find an instructor! Lock in your date today! | | |
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Open House Saturday, 12/1, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Every month, Purple Crayon opens its doors to the public. You can check out what our members are up to and see if the studio is a good fit for you. Come see what all the excitement is about! |
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| | Zentangle® Star Sunday, 12/2, 1:00-4:00 PM Zentangle® is an easy-to-learn, relaxing way to use structured patterns to decorate pretty much anything you can imagine and turn it into a masterpiece. Explore this fun technique with Certified Zentangle® Teacher, Susan Goodman. By the end of the workshop, you will have learned how to shape a 3D star, as well as several basic tangles, the strokes necessary to make them, and how to add color and shading to make your creation really SHINE! | | |
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| | Pysanky Ornaments Sunday, 12/9, 2:00-5:30 PM Pysanky are a lot like Asheville: unique, fun, and colorful! In this workshop, you'll learn how to make beautiful Ukrainian Easter eggs with artist, Andrea Kulish! First, you'll choose a pattern, design, or symbol and reproduce it with beeswax, which is melted in a candle flame and applied to an egg using a kistka. Then, you’ll dip your egg into successively darker dyes. Finally, you’ll melt off the beeswax to reveal your beautiful design! | | |
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| | Needle Felted Santa Saturday, 12/15, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM Treat yourself to a HOLI-DATE with Santa! If you’re looking for a fun way to get into the season, and you’re interested in—but intimidated by—the idea of needle felting, this workshop is for you! In just a few hours, fiber artist, Anne Magrath, will teach you how to needle felt AND you'll walk away with a charming addition to your holiday décor! | | |
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| | Beginning Knitting Thu, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 10 AM-12 PM Who doesn’t fantasize about sitting in front of a fireplace, in the dead of winter, knitting? Whether you’re completely new to the craft, have tried to learn to knit and failed, or simply want a refresher, you'll love Camille Duanno's fun, four-week course! For about the price of a night out, you’ll gain a skill that will last a lifetime and is filled with endless possibilities! | | |
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| | Handmade Book Sampler Friday, 1/18, 10:00 AM-4:30 PM Book art has existed for thousands of years and can be seen in one form or another throughout all human history. In this fascinating, day-long workshop, book artist, Karen Hardy, will teach you how to make your own simple, yet elegant, book structures that are perfect for collecting memorabilia and journaling. The focus will be on making blank book models that you can use as a reference for future projects. | | |
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| | Mixed Media Pocket Shrine Friday, 1/25, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM Admit it. You hate throwing out those used mint tins. They’re so darn cute! Now you don’t have to! Join mixed media artist, Christy Ammerman, as she shows you how to turn them into pocket “shrines!” After decorating your tin, you’ll add various mixed media until your piece commemorates a person, place, or feeling—or just looks neat! The only “rule" for this workshop is that you have fun! | | |
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Creativity Circles (Members-Only) |
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Writing: Every Other Mon, 5:30-7 PM Reading: 2nd Mon, 6:30-8:30 PM Stitching: Tue, 1-3 PM Quilting: Thu, 1-3 PM Drawing: 1st & 3rd Sat, 10 AM-12 PM Collaging: Coming in January! | | |
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